Device for severing glass



H. F. HITNER.

DEVICE FOR SEVERING GLASS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5. 1920.

1,373,728. Patented A r. 5, 1921.

INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY F. HITNER, OF WILKINSBUIRG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA,

nnvrcn roa SEVEBING cuss.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

Application filed February F, 1920. Serial No. 356,396.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I HARRY F. HITNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made a new and useful Invention in Devices for Severing Glass, of which the following is a specification.

ing or cracking glass by the application of heat along the desired line of division. The device is designed primarily for cutting or capping glass cylinders but is not limited to use in such connection. The invention has for its objects the provision of an improved device; (1) which can be cheaply constructed; (2) which can be operated at small expense; (3) which is very durable as compared with the devices now employed using a relatively small wire heated by the passage of an electric current; and 1) which can be rapidly and conveniently handled by the operator. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of assembled device in position for use, and Fig. 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the heating tube.

The apparatus is designed to do the same class of work as the construction shown in my copending application, Serial No. 335,611, filed November 4th, 1919, the primary distinction being that a heating-tube is employed in my present construction in place of the circular chamber employing a reel. Because of the length of heating tube required, the present device cannot be carried as readily in the hand of the operator as the reel construction of my copending application, but is much simpler and cheaper in construction than the reel device and avoids certain complications incident to'the use of a reel. The device is designed to be supported from overhead at such a position that it is out of the way and the operator is relieved of the labor incident to carrying the device. When used for severing cylinders, the device may either be supported upon a trolley running longitudinally of the cylinder so that it may be moved from one cutting off oint to the next, or if desired, a plurality o the devices may be employed along the length of the cylinder, one being placed opposite each point on The invention relates to devices for seversponding to the cracking off wire or cablewhich it is desired to heat, together with an electrically heated coil wound upon the tube and surrounded by an insulating casing. This device is suspended from. above with its lower end at a height corresponding to about the center of the cylinder to be severed. A flexible capping off member, preferably in the form of a nichrome cable, extends through the heated tube and is provid ed with an extension from its upper end which passes up over a pulley and is counterweighted, so that the cable is automatically withdrawn into the tube when not in use. The cable is preferably of woven construction so as to give the necessary bulk and heat retaining capacity and at the same time have the desired flexibility.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is the outside casing of the device, which may be an ordinary iron pipe suspended from above by means of the strap iron members 2 which have the pulley 3 mounted between their upper ends. Inside the casing is the insulating material 4 (Fig. 2) of asbestos or other suitable material, and inside of this insulating material is a porcelain tube 5 surrounded by the heating coil 6, which may be made of nichrome wire or other suitable resistance metal. Current is supplied through suitable leads 9.

Extending through the porcelain tube is the cracking 'oif member 7, preferably of woven nichrome as heretofore referred to, in order to give the necessary flexibility. This cable is of sufficient length to extend around the cylinder to be capped off, and is provided at its upper end with an extension 8, of smaller diameter, which passes over the pulley 3 and is connected to the counterweight 10. This counterweight is of just suflicient size to cause a withdrawal of the cracking ofi member into the heating tube after the cracking ofi' operation. The lower end of the member 7 is provided with the extension 11 to be grasped by the hand of the operator, such extension having at its upper end the stop member 12 and at its lower end the ball 13, the latter serving to give a better grip by the hand of the operator. The ends of the casing are provided with suitable closure members 14.

When it is desired to cap or sever the cylinder, the casing occupies the relative position to the cylinder 15 indicated in Fig. 1, and the operator grasps the extension 11 of the cracking off cable and pulls it downward, passing it beneath the cylinder to the which starts the cracking action in case such cracking action does not begin before the removal of the cable. The heat imparted to the cable before use is preferably such as to bring it to a red heat, and the size of the cable is such that sufiicient heat is retained to cause the cracking off action when applied to the glass, it. being understood that the operators must necessarily be fast and skilful in applying the cable, otherwise the cable may become too cool to perform its function. A woven cable is preferably used because of its flexibility, but a solid wire or cable, or even a chain may be used. The use of the tubular chamber gives a uick and uniform heating of the cracking 0 cable and the device may be very conveniently and easily handled by the operators, since they are relieved of supporting the casing and can devote their attention to the manipulation of the cable. The device, hanging as it does in a vertical position, is out of the way and does not interfere with other operations in volved in handling and splitting the cylinders. Other advantages incident to the construction and its method of operation will bit readily apparent to those skilled in the a v What I claim is: 1. In combination in a glass cracking ofl" device, a heating chamber, a flexible cracking off member mounted for movement into and out of thechamber, and means for heating the chamber.

2. In combinationin a glass cracking 01f device, a heating chamber, a flexible crackmg off member mounted for movement into aeespee and out of the chamber, and an electrically heated element for heating the chamber.

3. In combination in a glass cracking off device, a tubular heating chamber, a flexible cracking off member adapted to be drawn into the chamber for heating and then withdrawn for use, and electrical means for heating the chamber.

4. In combination in a glass cracking off device,-an upright tube providing a heating chamber, a flexible cracking ofl member mounted for movement into the lower end of the tube and withdrawal therefrom, and an electrical heating element extending along the tube.

5. In combination in a glass cracking ofl" device, a tube, means for heating the tube, a flexible cracking oif member adapted toextend longitudinally through the tube, and means for drawing the member into the tube.

6. In combination in a glass cracking ofl' device, a tube, means for heating the tube, a flexible cracking ofi' member adapted to extend longitudinally through the tube, and a counterweight exterior of the tube and connected with the member for drawing it into the tube.

7. In combination in a glass cracking olf device, a tube, an electrically heated coil of wire extending along the tube for heating it, heat insulating means for the tube, a flexible cracking ofl' member adapted to extend longitudinally through the tube, and

means whereby the member may be drawn into the tube.

8. In combination in a glass cracking off device, a tube of insulating material, an electrically heated coil'of wire wound around the tube, heat insulating means outside the coil, a flexible cracking ofl member adapted to extend through the tube, and means wliereby the member may be drawn into the tu e-.

9. In combination in a glass cracking off device, a vertical tube of insulating material, an electrically heated coil of wire wound around the tube, heat insulating means outside the coil, a flexible cracking off member extending through the tube, and a counter;

weight connected to the up er end of the member for'drawing it into t e tube. I

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of Jan, 

